Flush tank



Aug. 6, 11935.

R. P. WILSON FLUSH TANK Filed April 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1935.

R. P. WILSON FLUSH TANK Filed April 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 om A INVEN TOE? Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in flush tanks, and more particularly to a Siphon actuated reservoir that is adaptedto operate without the use of rubber valves and hollow bulb oats that are found in the ordinary structures. It also relates to tanks for ushing water closets and the like in which by the arrangement of parts water will iloW into the tank until it is full, whereupon the valve in the supply pipe is auto matically closed and will open again upon the dis-- charge of water from said tank.

The devices which have hitherto been employed to control the inflow of Water automatically have consisted of hollow spheres or other devices arranged to oat on the water and connected with the inlet-Valves, so as to close the valve when the water has reached acertainheight, the retreat of the water through a discharge-pipe allowing the valve-float to fall with it and thu-s gradually open the inlet-valve. However, these ioating supply control devices' are apt to corrode and hang or to get caught or bind at the Wall of the tank, and their function depending, as it does, on the buoyantpower of thefloat alone, they are very apt to become impaired, sothat the valves do not work properly. 1

An object o1 my invention is to remedy these defects and it consists of a new construction and arrangement of the parts wherein floating devices 301 for the regulation of .supp-1y valves may be dispensed With and a suiciently large flow of water is always furnished to the discharge or flushing pipe for proper flushing. v

My invention maybe carried out in its simplest embodiment by utilizing a receptacle or tank for water which is movably Supported so that it will be capable of moving into different positions, combined withA a Siphon arldwber Supply. the parts being so combined that when the water receptacle is moved into .one of its positions the Siphon is flooded to discharge the Water.

The preferred form of my invention comprises an improved flush tank having a Siphon actuated reservoir arranged to (3o-operate with a supply valve in which, by the arrangement of parts, water Willrlow int-o the tank until it :reaches a fixed point whereupon the tank automatically shifts and serves as a weight to close .said valve and may be manually tilted so as to oodthe siphon and empty said tank.

Another object is to provide a construction in which a Siphon actuated reservoir may be installed in a flush tank of the ordinary type without material change in the main tank or its connections. l. Y. l

Another object is to provide a ush tank which is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and which is positive in operation, the reservoir being constructed so as to increase the eiiciency and utility of devices of this character.

Another object is to provide a iiush tank which eliminates condensation of moisture on its outer surfaces S0 as to prevent the precipitation or dripping of same.

Still another object is toV provide a flush tank in which the reservoir is adapted to automatically control the supply valve.

An advantage of my invention is that a Sullicient volume of water is delivered into the outer or main tank to insure complete ilushing.

. Other objects and advantages will be fully explained in the description and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawf ings which form a part of this application.

I Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the flush tank.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, shown with the lid removed.`

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the tank, Showing a variation in the Structure of the same.

Fig, 4 is a vertical section of same showing an arrangement for increasing the head of water in the main tank. l 1

Fig. 5 iS a detail view of the means for manually operating the tank.

Fig. `6 is a detail View of a portion of the tank Showing a further variation in the Structure of the Siphon outlet.

Fig. 7 is a detail showing a modied adjustable support for the receptacle.

Similar characters of reference are used to indiente the same parts throughout the Several views. i f

The improved ilush tank consists of an outer or main tank I preferably of the usual form and structure. The base 2 of the tank l is provided with a connection 3 for a water closetor the like for directing the fluid from the flush tank into the same for iinshing purposes. `A reservoir 4 is installed in the tank l by means of fulcrum brackets and pins which may be v,operated so that the same may be manually moved for discharging liquid into the `other tank.

The said brackets E may be Secured to or made integral with each `ci? the side Walls of the outer tank l and adapted to act as bearing supports for the `pins 5` which are made integral with and adapted to project outwardly from the side walls of thereservoir 4, The reservoirid is provided With a base l and a top 8.' :An opening 9 is provided in the top of the reservoir for receiving the supply of fluid. The reservoir l is formed with an integral collar l which is of greater diameter than the opening S and adapted to make a well for the opening 9 of the reservoir. The formation of the collar i9 relative to the opening 9 eliminates the fluid from being splashed or sloshed through the opening when the reservoir is being tilted and also acts to eliminate the noise in filling the reservoir.

The reservoir is preferably formed of metal, rubber or other suitable material that may be shaped to conform with the design necessary to admit a refill which is noiseless and to permit a siphon action for the discharge of the water. Preferably moulded hard rubber, Bakelite, brass or copper would be used to form the structure, or other. material thatl would withstand the corrosive action of water and be sufficiently rigid to retain its shape.

The pivotal position of the reservoir l within the tank I causes the reservoir to normallyv rest upon the supply valve and hold the same closed. The reservoir is provided with a siphon form of exhaust which is preferably an integral part of the reservoir and consists of an inner wall II which 'forms an elongated passage to direct the fluid from near the bottom of the reservoir up to and over the end wall of the reservoir. The iiuid is then conveyed down the outer surface of the end wall by a continuation of the passage which consists of a passage i3 similar to Vthe passage formed by the wall II. The bottom or exhaust end of the passage i3 extends below the base 'I of the reservoir il and is curved to provide an opening l 4l for the discharge of the fluid in a direction towards the central' exhaust opening or connection 3 of the main tank I. The reservoir l may be provided with an indentation or lowered portion I5 in its base l adjacent the intake of the passage so that the siphoning action of the reservoir may take fluid directly from the bottom of the reservoir. The siphon passage of the reservoii` 4 is preferably formed into `an oval or flat passage the width of which is approximately the width of the reservoir. This permits an instantaneous emptying of the fluid from the reservoir 4 into the main tank l where it is permitted to pass through the outlet 3.

rPhe device may be varied in its construction as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, l and 6. In Fig. 6 the siphon I3 is extended over outlet 3 and is provided with a ball joint or seat 32 which rests on the upper portion of connection or outlet 3. Said portion of Siphon I3 and ball joint 32 serves as a fulcrum or support for said reservoir so as to allow a free tilting action. ln this arrangement the outlet pipe co-operates with the Siphon so as to accelerate the emptying of the tank, and to allow a greater head of pressure in the outlet.

The fluid supply to the reservoir 4 consists of a pipe connection IB which passes through the base 2 of the tank l and into a valve 20. From the valve 2li, the fluid is directed into the reservoir by means of a pipe I'I which is positioned so as to pass under the reservoir and around the side of the same, up to and over the top thereof, and then downwardly through the opening 9 and well Il] into the reservoir, near the bottom thereof. A The pipe il is designated throughout its route into the reservoir as I'I, I8 and I9, in Fig. l. The portion IS passes over the topof the reservoir and the portion I9 of the pipe extends downwardly into the reservoir and empties out into the reservoir near its base 1.

The valve 25B is provided with a valve stem 2B which is positioned therein so as to extend upwardly and against the base 'I of the reservoir. The stem 2li is provided with a guiding cap 2l. A lug 22 may be provi-ded on the under portion or surface of the base 'i of the reservoir l for contact with the valve stern 29 of the valve 2li.

Weights 42 and i3 may be provided to counter-- balance the reservoir d and attached in a suitable manner so as to be adjusted. The proper adjustment of these weights serves to delimit the tilting action of the tank and to control the shifting of same so as to limit the supply of water.

Said weights may also be adjusted to cause the reservoir to tilt when th-e water has reached the desired point and contact with the Valve stem 253 or lever 44.

As an alternative form of adjustment, I may employ the construction shown in Fig. '7 where the fulcrum pins are supported upon fulcrum brackets E having a series of recesses into which the fulcrum pins may rest.

When the reservoir 4 is standing with a full supply of uid it will rest upon the valve stem 2c and hold the valve closed against further passage of fluid through the valve, and the fluid level will be at a height approximately as indicated by the dotted line A in Fig. l, which is at a height in the reservoir slightly below the side wall of the reservoir that forms the Siphon means of exhaust. The reservoir may be moved so that its contents will be dumped into the main tank I by means of a manually operated lever 23. The lever 23 is pivotally mounted on the tank I adjacent the top of the reservoir, opposite its exhaust end, and provided with a projection 2li made integral therewith and adapted to engage a lug 25 of the reservoir 4. The lug 25 is made integral with and on the side of the reservoir li so that when the lever 23 is moved the arm 2-'l will engage the lug 25 and move the reservoir so that it will swing on its connections 5 and 5 to the extent that the fluid therein will run over the wall of the siphon passage and start the Siphon action for emptying the contents of the reservoir into the tank I. The Siphon action of the passage 53 is relieved by means of a pipe 26 positioned thereon and may be arranged for the noiseless relief of the Siphon by admittance of air to the crown of the same.

The device may be varied in its construction, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to insure a positive control of the supply valve when the supply pressure is above normal pressure. In this instance the portion of the reservoir, above the valve 28, is provided with an extended capacity bulge or chamber il which exerts a greater weight on the valve stem 2d when the reservoir i is illed and standing in normal position. A leverage is also placed on the stem Z by means of an arm which may be pivotally connected to the body of the valve 2@ and extend over the top of the valve stem Eil to a point where it will be engaged by the reservoir. Valve 2U may be provided with a rell tube @il passing through the wall of outlet 3 as shown in Fig. 6. Said tube lil is adapted to permit a reflll'of the trap of the fixture to be flushed and also to accelerate the flow of water through the siphon.

Variations may be made in the exhaust of the main tank I for permitting the tank I to receive a greater portion of the fluid from the reservoir before the same is permitted to start through the connection 3 of the tank. A container 34 is mounted in the tank I above the outlet 3 and below the reservoir 4 and adapted to contain the iioat 35 of a valve38. The outlet 3 is provided with a valve seat 31 so that the valve 38 will act to open orclose the opening through the outlet 3 of the tank l. The valve 38 is provided with a stem which extends through the bottom of the container 34 and into and rigid with the oat 35. The valve 38 normally stands, by gravity, to close the outlet 3 of the tank i.

When the reservoir l is moved so that its Contents are emptied into the main Vtank l the valve 33 Wili remain closed until a sufcient amount of uid has passed into the container` 34 to raise thelvalve 33 and permit the passage through the outlet 3. The base of the container 34 may be provided With a small drain opening 35 for permitting the same to drain and allow the valve 38 to reseat.

As shown in Fig. 6, a drain 33 is provided for outlet 3 to permit any Water remaining in the tank or which may leak from any of the parts or be condensed on the outside of the reservoir to pass into the outlet 3.

I claim:

l. A tank having a movable reservoir therein, a Siphon controlled by the movement of said reservoir, manually operated means for moving said reservoir in said tank, and a water supply controlled by the movement of said reservoir.

2. The combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume diierent positions, a water supply controlled by the movement of said reservoir, and a siphon -flooded by said reservoir when moved into one oi its positions.

3. The combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume different positions, manually controlled means for moving said reservoir, a siphon ooded when said reservoir is moved into one of its positions, and a Water supply for said reservoir controlled by the movement of said reservoir.

4. A tank, a reservoir movable therein and comprising a siphon, manually operated means for moving said reservoir in said tankV to flood said Siphon, and a Water supply controlled by the movement of said reservoir.

5. A tank, a reservoir movably supported in said tank to assume different positions, a Siphon ooded when said reservoir is moved into one of its positions, and a Water supply for said reservoir.

6. The combination oi a tank, a reservoir movably supported therein to assume different positions, manually controlled means for moving said reservoir in said tank, a siphon flooded when said reservoir is manually moved, and a Water supply 3 controlled by the movement of said reservoir.

8. 'I'he combination of a water receptacle, means for supporting the same to assume different positions, a Water supply, and a Siphon flooded by said reservoir when moved into one of its positions, the outlet of said siphon forming the fulcrum to support the reservoir.

9. The combination of a water receptacle, means for supporting the same to assume different positions, a Water supply controlled by the movementof said reservoir, and a Siphon flooded by said reservoir When moved into one of its positions, the outlet of said siphon forming the fulorum to support the reservoir.

l0. A tank, a reservoir movable therein and comprising a Siphon, and an outlet for said tank, the outlet for said siphon eo-aoting with said outlet to form a fulcrum for said receptacle.

l1. A tank, a reservoir movable therein and comprising a Siphon, an outlet for said tank, the outlet for said siphon coacting with said outlet to form a fulerum for said receptacle, and an opening to permit Water to drain into said outlet.

l2. The Combination of a tank, a reservoir movable therein and comprising a siphon, an outlet for said tank, a Water supply valve, and a refill tube connecting said valve with said outlet and cooperating with said Siphon to assist the action of the same.

i3. The combination of a tank, a reservoir znovably supported in said tank to assume different positions, a Siphon flooded by said reservoir when moved into one of its positions, a Water supply valve, an outlet for said tank, and a rell tube connecting said valve with said outlet and cooperating with said siphon to assist the action of the saine.

14. vThe combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume different positions, and a valve constructed and arranged to be opened by the pressure of the Water when the reservoir is moved to empty the same, said reservoir closing said valve when it is returned to its normal position by the weight of the water.

l5. The combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume different positions, a Water supply valve and a siphon fiooded by said reservoir when moved into one i of its positions, said reservoir co-operating with said valve to hold the same closed when the reservoir is in its normal position.

16. The combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume different positions, a siphon iiooded by said reservoir when.

moved into one of its positions, and a Water supply valve closed by the Weight of said reservoir when the latter contains Water.

1'7. The combination of a reservoir, means for movably supporting the same to assume different positions, a siphon flooded by said reservoir when moved into one of its positions, and a valve constructed and arranged to be opened by the pressure of the water when the reservoir is moved to empty the same, said reservoir closing said valve when it is returned to its normal position by the Weight of the Water.

ROBERT P. WILSON. 

